Re: Using the /var/lib/pgsql/data directory in the absense

On Tue, 22 Jul 2003, Srinivas Kotapally wrote:

> I am a newbie PostgreSQL DB admin.  I have the following problem:
> 1. I have a redhat 8 box which has postgres installed.
> 2. I have reinstalled postgresql 7.2.1-5 (native postgres installation on
> RedHat 7.3) on the redhat 8.0
> 3. I don't have the database backups from my 7.3 installation - I however
> have access to the /var/lib/pgsql/data directory.
>
> My question is... can I use this to recover the database from the 7.3
> version.  We got hacked and the earlier system was unusable.

> I tried to do fire up the postmaster process and could not fire up the DB.
> I don't get a message the system just returns to the prompt without starting
> the database.

How are you attempting to start the postmaster?  If it's failing it should
be giving you output unless it's being redirected somewhere.